Yokozuna Hakuho was summoned to explain himself on Thursday after leading an impromptu cheer following his victory at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

The Japan Sumo Association's board of directors called in Hakuho and his stablemaster, sumo elder Miyagino, to hear their side of the story regarding the yokozuna's unapproved actions at Edion Arena Osaka on Sunday after he extended his record for career grand tournament championships to 42.

Hakuho's "sanbon-jime" hand-clapping cheer disrupted the flow of ceremonies and preceded the sport's spiritual "kami okuri" ceremony that concludes the tournament and uses the same sanbon-jime cheer.

The JSA's board of trustees and its yokozuna council advisory board have already sent documents to the grand champion over his behavior. The compliance committee will discuss possible disciplinary measures and report to the board of directors.

The government will no longer use the term "lifelong singles" as a label for people who have not married by age 50, deeming the term inaccurate as Japanese are increasingly tying the knot later in life, officials said Thursday. (Japan Today)

Japan's new supercomputer Fugaku is set to begin operations around 2021 with the country aiming to regain the title of building the world's fastest computer, replacing its current supercomputer K, government-backed research institute Riken said Thursday. (Japan Times)

Kyoto Prefectural Police have arrested a 23-year-old male Australian national who is suspected of scrawling graffiti in dozens of locations in Kyoto City, reports Fuji News Network (May 22). (tokyoreporter.com)

The International Olympic Committee says boxing is set to maintain its place in the 2020 Tokyo Games, but that the sport's international association should be excluded from organizing the events due to a number of problems.
(NHK)